City: St. Louis, MO

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (314) 371-0304

Address: 4270 Manchester Avenue

Description: If you have a hankerin’ for some down-home, southern-style comfort food, then Sweetie Pie’s at the Mangrove is where you want to be. This location, situated in the up-and-coming Grove neighborhood, was opened due to the popularity of the authentic soul food menu at the original Sweetie Pie’s in North County (9841 West Florissant Avenue; 314-521-9915). Daily “meat and two” or “meat and three” plates (meat plus two or three side orders) offer stick-to-your-ribs, homemade goodness like smothered pork steak, baked chicken, barbecued rib tips, catfish, and meat loaf alongside delicacies like black-eyed peas, yams, okra, mashed potatoes, and dressing. But whatever you do, do not leave without trying the macaroni and cheese—it is truly some of the best in town. The food is served cafeteria style, and the menu changes regularly—but there’s never a shortage of tasty options. Sweetie Pie’s owner Robbie Montgomery is a former “Ikette,” a back-up singer for St. Louis R&B legends Ike & Tina Turner. Open Tuesday through Sunday.